Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Human Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making (Online)

AVTN 3440-31I

Course: AVTN 3440-31I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Aviation Sciences
CRN: 33950

Course Description

This course explores the psychological, physiological, and environmental factors influencing human performance in modern aviation. Students analyze key principles of Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM), Crew Resource Management (CRM), and Threat and Error Management (TEM) to maximize safety and efficiency. Core topics include situational awareness, stress and fatigue, communication dynamics, risk assessment, and cognitive biases in high-stakes flight environments. Through case studies and scenario-based exercises, students develop practical strategies to mitigate human error, optimize workload, and enhance critical thinking under pressure. This foundational course prepares aspiring aviation professionals to cultivate sound, proactive operational judgment across all sectors of the aerospace industry. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded Letter] Prerequisite(s): AVTN 1010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Prerequisite Can Be Concurrent? Yes

Required Texts

Human Factors: Enhancing Pilot Performance - Second Edition
Author: Dale Wilson
Publisher: Aviation Supplies and Academics (ASA)

FAA Risk Management Handbook - FAA-H-8083-2A

Aeronautical Decision Making - Advisory Circular - AC 60-22

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze the physiological and psychological limitations of human operators in the aviation environment, including the effects of fatigue, stress, hypoxia, and spatial disorientation on performance.

  • Apply established Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) frameworks (such as the DECIDE and 3P models) to evaluate and mitigate risks during both normal and emergency flight operations.

  • Evaluate the root causes of historical aviation accidents and incidents using structured human error models, such as the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS).

  • Assess the impact of advanced automation on pilot workload, situational awareness, and the broader human-machine interface within modern flight decks.

  • Demonstrate effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles—focusing on communication, leadership, and conflict resolution—to trap and mitigate operational errors in multi-crew and single-pilot environments.

  • Develop comprehensive personal minimums and structured flight risk assessment strategies to foster a robust individual and organizational safety culture.

Course Requirements

Student Introduction...................... 10 points 


Weekly Quizzes............................... Points vary. Total of 271 points possible


Critique of A.I.................................. 50 points


Personal Assessment.................... 50 points

Course Outline

Week 1: Instructor and Student Introductions
Week 2: Chapter 1 Wilson; Chapter 1/ADM FAA Advisory Circular; Weekly Quiz
Week 3: Chapter 2 Wilson; Chapter 2/ADM FAA Advisory Circular; Weekly Quiz
Week 4: Chapter 3 Wilson; Chapter 3/ADM FAA Advisory Circular; Weekly Quiz
Week 5: Chapter 14 Wilson; Chapter 4/ADM FAA Advisory Circular; Weekly Quiz
Week 6: Chapter 15 Wilson; Chapter 5/ADM FAA Advisory Circular; Weekly Quiz
Week 7: Chapter 16 Wilson; Chapter 6/ADM FAA Advisory Circular; Weekly Quiz
Week 8: Chapter 17 Wilson; Chapter 7/ADM FAA Advisory Circular; Weekly Quiz
Week 9: Chapter 18 Wilson; Chapters 1 & 2 FAA Risk Management Handbook; Weekly Quiz
Week 10: Chapter 19 Wilson; Chapters 3 & 4 FAA Risk Management Handbook; Weekly Quiz
Week 11: Chapter 20 Wilson; Chapters 5 & 6 FAA Risk Management Handbook; Weekly Quiz
Week 12: Chapter 21 Wilson; Chapters 7 & 8 FAA Risk Management Handbook; Weekly Quiz
Week 13: Critique the A.I. Testing Your Expertise Versus ChatGPT
Week 14: Personal Assessment 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work is permitted if students seek permission from the instructor. Students may be docked points for late work. No late work is accepted after the last Friday before the start of finals week.

Attendance Policy

Because this section is an online class, physical attendance is not not required.

Course Fees

$3.75 per credit hour 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.